The inaugural Beaten Zone Pitch Fest convened in August in Perth, WA sought to back 16 early-stage sovereign Australian teams creating the next generation of novel Robotic and Counter-Robotic systems for the warfighter. Each participant delivered a 5-minute pitch to a panel of five judges and afterwards engaged in a short Q&A defending the merits of the technological innovation.

The right to negotiate for up to $500,000 investment on offer for the winning pitch was jointly awarded after a split-decision. Those two teams were, Outlook Industries and Tekuma, led by Luke Townsend and Annette McClelland respectively, with Tekuma also winning the Crowd Favourite pitch prize. Outlook Industries and Tekuma will now enter into formal negotiations with Beaten Zone.

Pelos Group, a company developing a revolutionary new Wireless Power Distribution System that will transmit safe, clean, and persistent power on the battlefield and led by Cos Luccitti, came away as the runner-up with two tickets to SOFWEEK 2024. 

The successful initiative will return next year to support a new generation of entrepreneurs focused on systems that will give the ADF a tactical edge!

The event was attended by ASPI Defence, Strategy and National Security’s Director, Bec Shrimpton, and Research Intern, Marcus Schultz.

Photos by Bec Shrimpton